At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even after judgment, Tyre’s restoration isn’t about true repentance; she’ll return to her old, morally compromised ways of commerce, using the same deceptive tactics as before to gain wealth. The phrase "commit fornication" powerfully illustrates how her global trade will continue to be driven by greed and unethical practices, rather than by integrity.
At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes a prophecy about Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician port city. After detailing its impending destruction and judgment for its pride and exploitation, the prophecy shifts to a future restoration. It foretells that after a period of desolation, symbolized by seventy years, the LORD will allow Tyre to regain its commercial prowess and engage in international trade once more.
Why does the Bible mention a specific timeframe of seventy years for Tyre's judgment and restoration? This number points to a divine pattern of discipline and renewal.
Isaiah 23:17 speaks of the LORD visiting Tyre "after the end of seventy years." This isn't just an arbitrary number; it often signifies a period of exile, judgment, and eventual restoration in biblical history.
The Bible compares Tyre's global trade to prostitution. What does this shocking metaphor reveal about the city's economic heart?
Isaiah 23:17 uses the strong imagery of harlotry to describe Tyre's commercial activities. This wasn't just about making money; it was about the way Tyre conducted its business and the motives behind it.
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Understand the original words
paqad · Hebrew Verb
The act of God intervening in human history, often for the purpose of judgment or restoration. It implies God's active presence and careful attention to the affairs of nations.
ethnan · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting wealth, profit, or reward earned through labor or trade; in this context, it represents the worldly gain and economic power acquired by Tyre.
This prophecy points to a period of about seventy years following a significant judgment (likely Nebuchadnezzar's siege) during which Tyre would be 'forgotten' or greatly diminished. The verse speaks of its eventual restoration and return to its commercial 'hire' with the nations, illustrating God's sovereign hand even in the rise and fall of powerful cities.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire conquers Jerusalem, leading to the exile of many Judeans. Tyre, a Phoenician city-state, likely supported Babylon during this period.
c. 573 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II lays siege to the island city of Tyre for 13 years, eventually conquering the mainland portion but failing to take the island fortress.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great and the Persian Empire overthrow the Babylonian Empire, ushering in a new era for the region. Tyre, though damaged, would begin its recovery under Persian rule.
c. 475 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Prophecy of Tyre's Restoration
Isaiah prophesies that after seventy years of desolation or diminished influence, the Lord will 'visit' Tyre, leading to its commercial resurgence and engagement with world kingdoms.
332 BC
Alexander the Great's Conquest of Tyre
Alexander the Great besieges and captures Tyre after a prolonged and difficult struggle, constructing a causeway to reach the island city. This event marked another significant disruption for Tyre.
This passage echoes Isaiah's metaphor of commercial nations as 'harlots,' directly linking Tyre's exploitative trading practices to the spiritual prostitution described in Revelation.
Ezekiel 26:14Ezekiel prophesies Tyre's ultimate desolation into a place for spreading nets, which powerfully contrasts with the temporary restoration and continued 'harlotry' described in Isaiah 23:17, highlighting the finality of judgment versus cycles of sin.
Nahum 3:4Similar to Isaiah's portrayal, Nahum also uses the imagery of a harlot to describe Nineveh's corrupt and seductive dealings with other nations, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment against exploitative powers.
Romans 1:29-31This passage lists various sins including greed and commercial deceit, which aligns with the 'mercenary motive' and 'dishonest acts' implied in Tyre's 'hire,' illustrating the broader moral decay that invites God's judgment.
cambridgeIsaiah 23:17: "And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth."
17 . The application of the song to Tyre. The comparison of commerce to prostitution is found in Revelation 18:3 and perhaps in Nahum 3:4 . Here it signalises the mercenary motive which was prominent in Tyre’s dealings with other nations. shall return to her hire ] Shal…
clarkeIsaiah 23:17: "And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth."
After the end of seventy years - Tyre, after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, recovered, as it is here foretold, its ancient trade, wealth, and grandeur; as it did likewise after a second destruction by Alexander. It became Christian early with the rest of the neighbo…
Even after judgment, Tyre’s restoration isn’t about true repentance; she’ll return to her old, morally compromised ways of commerce, using the same deceptive tactics as before to gain wealth. The phrase "commit fornication" powerfully illustrates how her global trade will continue to be driven by greed and unethical practices, rather than by integrity.
This verse concludes a prophecy about Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician port city. After detailing its impending destruction and judgment for its pride and exploitation, the prophecy shifts to a future restoration. It foretells that after a period of desolation, symbolized by seventy years, the LORD will allow Tyre to regain its commercial prowess and engage in international trade once more.
This verse concludes a prophecy about Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician port city. After detailing its impending destruction and judgment for its pride and exploitation, the prophecy shifts to a future restoration. It foretells that after a period of desolation, symbolized by seventy years, the LORD will allow Tyre to regain its commercial prowess and engage in international trade once more.
"At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth." — Even after judgment, Tyre’s restoration isn’t about true repentance; she’ll return to her old, morally compromised ways of commerce, using the same deceptive tactics as before to gain wealth. The phr…
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Last reviewed October 2026